Packing Tips

Storing items is an important consideration when moving. It’s a whole lot more than just filling a box. The smartest way to move into a storage unit is to do some simple planning and organizing as you pack. This should make it easier to find things in the future and minimize damage during a move. Here are some common storage tips that can help you:

Choosing A Facility

Although it is quick and convenient to select a storage facility via the Internet it is advised that you make a trip and visit the facility in person. We welcome visitors that want to meet us, see our facility and look at units before they rent them. You should always consider proximity should you need frequent or easy accessibility to your stored items.

Selecting The Right Size Unit

Take a few minutes, come to our facility and look at the unit sizes. It may help avoid over estimating or under estimating the right size unit you need. Keep in mind although unit sizes are normally described with width and depth, most units are 8’-9’ tall. This will help you maximize storage by taking advantage of the stacking height available.

Packing Boxes

Fill each box completely to help prevent top or sides from crushing. Use plastic or corrugated boxes. Pack your boxes using packing paper, foam, foam peanuts or bubble wrap as filler for gaps. This will help keep the box contents more stable. Be sure to distribute the weight inside the packed boxes evenly. This will help with stacking and balance for anyone helping you move when carrying the boxes. Be sure to carefully wrap fragile items. Keep things covered, anything left out of box will get dusty.

Label Your Boxes And Keep An Inventory

Be sure to clearly label all of your boxes on more than one side. A little extra work at the beginning will save a lot of time at the end. A general description of the items inside will help later when you go to unpack. Be sure to label all boxes that have breakable items as “Fragile”.

Make A List

At some point after your move is completed and you items are in storage you might forget what you put in your unit. If you take a little time at the beginning to make a list of all of the items you stored it will save you time when you need to retrieve them.

Maximize Space

Plan ahead to stack items smartly to maximize the use of the height of the unit. Plan ahead to stack heavier sturdy items on the bottom so that you can stack lighter items on top of them. When possible use same size boxes for ease in stacking. Consider stacking a mattress vertically to conserve space. Linens and clothes can be placed in appliances or empty drawers.

Think Of Ways To Conserve Space

Dismantle furniture when possible such as bed frames, table legs, leafs, and lampshades from lamps. This will minimize breakage and help with lifting, transporting and storage stacking.

Prioritize Item Location

Plan how you want to store your items. Things that you might not need right away, put in the back of the unit. Things you might need to get to sooner, put them in the front of the unit. If you have room leave yourself an aisle so that you can get to the items towards the back of the unit.

Appliances

With appliances such as washers and dryers be sure to drain all liquids before storing them. Liquids could freeze and cause damage to your stored item. Liquids could also become stale or moldy and cause odors that could effect other goods you have stored in your unit.

Protect Items

Be sure to cover furniture and other exposed items with sheets or tarps to protect them from tears or scratches. Be sure to consider stacking fragile items on the top of other boxes.

Moving Vehicle Access

Consider getting someone with a pickup truck, box van or moving truck to ease your move and minimize damage to your items. Trying to skip this step may cause you to try balancing all of your items in, around or on top of your car.

Insurance

The owner of a storage facility is not liable for lost and damaged goods. It is important for all storage renters to utilize renters insurance. This could be a separate policy purchased or a rider on the renter’s homeowner policy.

Protect Your Pass Code

Be selective about sharing your gate pass code.

Lock Check

Double check to make sure you or anyone helping has remembered to close the latch properly and put your lock on your unit before you leave the facility.